Safety device.



0. GREINER.

SAFETY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 6, l9i4.

1 $68, 1 1 Q0 Patented June 4 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- 6%; $1M WITNESSES: l/Vl/E/l/TOR Mu? 7" By @(Wa/ M ATTO IEV OIGREINER.

' SAFETY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 6,1914.

; l fi l Ma Patented June 4,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A 770RIV obviate lUNllTED ETATEE FATE lOiFlBllQE.

OTTO GREINER, OF N EW YORK,

N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, OF

sarnrr nnvrcn,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June at, 11918.

Application filed June 6, 1 914. Serial No. 843,341.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OTTO GREINER, a subj ect of the Emperor of Germany, residing in New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Safety Dev-ices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates in general to safety devices, and is particularly directed to a safety device for elevators or other vertically reciprocating hoists, although the same may be applied to any load carrying device movablt;1 in a vertical, inclined or horizontal pat One object of the invention is the provision of a safety device which will effect a retarding action on the load carrying device substantially the instant the latter attains a predetermined excessive speed.

other object of the invention is the provision of a'safety device which will act with gradually increasing brake action during the first stage of operation so as to gentle and positive stop of theelevator car or other load carrying device and thereby all shocks and jars to the hoisting machinery and the live load.

Other objects of the invention willappearhereinafter, the novel combinations of elements being pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic repre-' sentation of a typical elevator containing an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation view of the safety device; Fig. 3

is an end view of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is-a modified form of elevator safety operating device.

Like reference characters denote similar parts in all of the figures.

Among the many typesof safety devices for elevators, there is one which employs a roller which, in the event of excessive car speed or other conditions which call for an emergency stop of the car, is caused to move up an incline and wedge itself between the guide rail and a part on the car. vWhile a safety device of this nature is most reliable in its action and operates with absolute certainty and great power, it is open to the objection that its retarding or braking action effect a v .invention, all of the good features inherent in the wedge roller type of safety device are retained while the one objectionable feature,

namely its severity of action, is entirely overcome, so that the elevator car, regardless of its speed or load, may be retarded and brought to rest absolute certainty and without any danger of a too sudden stop.

Referring to the drawings, the safety device comprises 'a safety plank consisting of the channel beams 2-2, which are preferably carried upon the bottom of the car 3 as shown in Fig. 1. The retarding mechanism is carriedupon each end of the safety plank and is adapted to co-act with the parallel steel guide rails 4, 4. Since the retarding mechanism is comprised of two parts which are similar to each other in every respect, a detail description of one of these parts will answer for both.

Eachof these parts comprises a pair of heavily constructed jaws 5, 5, which are both pivoted u on a stud 6 carried by a pair of plates 7, secured to the upper and lower sides, respectively, of the channel beams 2, 2. Between the inner ends of the jaws, 5, 5, and located in a recess provided for that purpose is a spring 8, which may be normally inert or else under a predetermined amount of compression, the amount of compression being determined in accordance with the average nominal loadon the car. A self-- prevent the rail-engaging faces of th J wfi promptly and gently with p i from contacting with the sides of the guide wedge 12 and at a short distance from the side face of the guide rail 4:. by means of a small projection or dowel pin 15, which rests in a corresponding hole in the jaw during the normal operation of the car. A plate 17 may be securedto one of each set of jaws and is for the purpose of keeping out all dirt and foreign matter.

The operation of the safety device may be effected in any one of several different ways,

such for example as the method shown in Fig. 1, in which the speed of the elevator car is the controlling factor. Referring to this figure it will be seen that I have shown the usual fly ball governor 18 which is driven through the governor cable 19 and is adapted to operate the clamps 20 which grasp the governor cable with a yielding friction when the speed of the car becomes excessive and thereby effects a relative movement between the car and governor cable. The latter is connected to a cable hitch 25 which is connected directly to the rod 16 on the right hand side of the car and indirectly to the rod 16 on the left hand side of the car through a bell crank 21, rod 22 and bell crank 24. A compression spring 23 is associated with the rod 22 and maintains the said rod against movement except at such times as the governor arrests the cable 19. In case of excessive car speed, the governor causes the clamps 18 to grasp and retard the cable 19 and the continued movement of the car causes both of the rods 16, 16, simultaneously to move upwardly carrying with them their respective rollers 14, 14, of the safety device. The initial movement of the rollers carries the projections 15,0ut of their recesses in the jaws and each roller moves up the slop.- ing face of the corresponding wedge 12 into contact with the side of the guide rail. As

' soon as a roller engages the rail, the frictional contact therewith assisted by the upward pull being exerted by the governor cable carries the roller upwardly as far asit can go or until the roller cage 13 engages the top of the recess in the jaw.

In the modified form of safety operating device shown in Fig. 5 I use instead of the single spring 23 of Fig. 1 a pair of springs 23 and 23 associated, respectively with each of the rods 16, 16, and bearing against brackets 26, 26, secured to the car. This arrange pressure.

' brought ment while effecting a simultaneous raising of the rod 16, 16, permits of an independent movement of the rodsin an upward direction so that in case one rod for some extraordinary reason should refuse to move upwardly the other rod may operate. Regardless of the type of operating device, the resultant braking action, is obvious, and may be described as follows: As soon as the roller engages the rail and starts to move up the inclined face of thewedge, the left hand jaw of Fig. 3 tends to move away from the rail and this movementis transmitted through the heavy coil spring 8 to theright hand jaw 5 which is forced into frictional engagement with the rail and exerts a braking action on the car in accordance with the As the car continues to descend the roller is carried up farther on the sloping face of the wedge and the spring 8 is bemg compressed, resulting in a corresponding increase in the braking action. This pressure continues to increase until finally the roller reaches its limit of movement and the brake acts With normal power and the car comes to rest gently and gradually and without appreciable loss of time. The slope as shown and in either case the pitch of the slope is such that the roller will always reach its limit of movement and it is such that the safety is self-locking in its upper position. The braking effect on the car depends almost entirely upon the spring 8 and on the nature of roller and surface of a jaw against the rail, also nature of surface of the rail. While the braking power due to the faction of the spring will depend upon the strength ofthe spring in its initial compression when the roller is in end position, by properly proportioning the wedge and by choosing a spring of the proper strength and deflection the retarding action of the safety device may be varied within wide limits so as to suit all conditions of load and speed. Sin'cethe wedge member 12 is self alining due to the manner in'which it is carried in the jaw, the roller when 'nto action will always engage the rail face airly and bear evenly upon the rail over the entire length of the roller. Inthis manner the rail will never become scored or damaged even after many operations'of the safety device, as many experiments with this type of safety device have proved. Since the jaws are spring pressure, the same will automatically adjust themselves to inequalities or bends in the guide rails.

The function and operation of the spring 8 is substantially different than that of other of the wedge face may be curved or straight held in operated position by safety devices which employ a spring to v that under these meantand may remain in that condition for weeks or months at a time or until the safety device is called into operation. It has been found circumstances the spring is very apt to acquire a permanent 'set. Furthermore, in extreme cases the spring may become broken or otherwise unable to permay be reset by respective positions ready vention. Furthermore vatorcar also a well form its proper functions when the time comes, and, owing to its position under the car, where'its condition is not readily seen, there. is no ready way of ascertaining whether it is in proper operative condition or not. Then again, when a safety device of the usual spring appliedtype, comes into action, the braking effect .is called into play instantly with maximum power resulting in a very abrupt stop of the car, which is most undesirable.

In a safety device containing an embodiment of my invention, the spring 8 under normal running conditions is either free from all compression entirely or at inost is compressed but slightly, or to a limited degree, so that there is no possibility of the spring becoming deformed or acquiring a permanent set, andlit is therefore always in proper operating condition. The operation of my invention efiects a ing action on the car. That is to say in the first stage of action, the initial braking power is at .a minimum and gradually increases to a maximum, the result be'ng to effect a smooth and gradual stop of the car without shocks or jars. The power of the safety device is not dependent upon the variable and uncertain retardation of the governor cable due to thegrasp of the governor clamps upon the cable, but is dependent upon the action of the springs 8 which in every case will act uniformly, the governor cable serving merely to effect the open ation of the wedge rollers.

In nearly every instance the safety device merely applying power to raise the car, whereupon all of the parts of the device will automatically assume their .for a subsequent action. Where the hoisting power is not 'sufiicient to effect this result it is -a simple matter for the elevator attendant to push the rollers back into position by means of a rod or crank or other suitable means operated from ,theinside or outside of the car or to release the spring.

While I have described one embodiment of my invention in connection with an elelmown and extensively used methodfor effecting its operation, it is obvious that the I same may be changed structurally in various details without def parting from the spirit or scope of the in- (the method of oper ating the safety device by way of example and is but one of many ways in which the device may be operated.

cumulative retardhere shown is merely t lt While the safety device is particularly adapted to passenger or freight'elevators which travel in 'a vertical path, the same may be used with equal advantage in connection with able load carrying devices as well as in many other connectionsin which it is desired to apply an emergency brake to a moving member.

' What I claim is 1. An elevator safety. device comprising clamp jaws adapted to co-act with a stationary member, means for effecting an engagement between said jaws and member tending to separate the jaws, and an elastic medium opposing said separation of the jaws.

v In an elevator safety device, the combination of a car and guide rails, of pivoted clamp jaws on the car adapted to co-aet with a guide rail, means for efi'ecting an engagement between said to move apart the jaws, and a spring opposing the movement of said jaws.

In an elevator safety device, the ,combination of a car and guide rails, of pivoted clamp jaws on the car' adapted to 'co act with a guide'rail, a member adapted to be wedged between said railand one of the jaws tending to move the jaws apart and a spring opposing said movement.

4. In an elevator safety device, the combination of a car audits guide rails, of pivoted jaws on the car adapted to clamp a guide rail, a roller adapted to bewedged between one of the jaws and a guide rail tending to separate the jaws, and a spring opposing the separation of the jaws.

5. In an elevator safety device, the combination of a car and its guide rails of jaws on the car adapted to clamp a guide rail, a roller adapted to be wedged between one of the jaws and a thejaws, and a spring-opposing the separation of the jaws.

6. In an elevator safety, device, the combination of a car and its guide rails, of pivoted jawson the car adaptedto clamp a guide rail, aroller adapted to be wedged between one of the jaws and a tending to separate the jaws, and means opposing the separationof the jaws.

In an elevator safety device, the combination of a car and its guide rails, of pivoted jaws on the car adapted to clamp a guide rail, and a self-alining roller adapted to be wedged between one of the aws and a guide rail tendingto separate the aws.

8. In an elevator safety device, the combination of a car and its guide rails, of pivoted jaws on' the can adapted to clamp a guide rail, a self alining roller adapted to be wedged between one of the jaws and a guide 'rail tending to separate the aws, and a spring opposing the separation of the ,jaws.

9. In an elevator safety device, the comjaws and rail 1 tending Edd guide rail tending to separate guide rail &

between-one of-the jaws and a I bination of a car and its guide rails, of

' pivoted jaws on the car adapted to clamp a guide rail, a member adapted to be we ged guide 1' i1 so as to move said jaw away from the rail, and means for communicating the movement of one jaw to the other jaw. 10. In an'elevator safety device, the co bination of a car'and its guide ra ls, of

pivoted jaws on the car adapted to clamp a gulde rail, a member adapted to be 'wedged and yieldlng means guide ra be wedged between one of the jaws and a guide rail so as to'move 'said jaw away from Y the rail, and yielding means for communieating the movement of one jaw to the other aw. v Y

12. In an elevator safety device, the combination with an-elevator ear and its guide rails, of pivoted jaws carried on the car v other jaw.

' .adapted frictionally and the gui ciated with both jaws,

. adapted frictiona adapted frictionally to enga e a guide rail, a roller adapted to be wedg between a jaw and the guide rail tending to move said jaw away from the rail, and resilient means for transmitting the movement of one jaw to the .13. In an elevator safety device, thecombination with an elevator car audits guide rails, of pivoted jaws carried on the car to engage a guide rail, a' roller adapted to be wedged between a jaw e rail tending to move said jaw awa from the rail, and a spring for transmittm motion between the jaws.

14. an elevator's'afety device, the combination with a car and its guide rails, of a .p

vsociated with a jaw for maintaimng the Y jaws pair of pivoted jaws carried 'on the car adapted 'frictionally to engage'a'guide rail, a wedge carried by one jaw, a roller between the wedge and rail, an elastic medium assoand means for controlling the roller. i

15. In an elevator safety device, the combination with a car and its 'de rails, of a pair of pivoted ljlawsearned on the car y to engage a guide rail, a wedge garried by one jaw, a roller between the wedge and rail, means for moving said oller upon said wedge i to engagement with the rail and thereby rock one of the jaws-on its pivot, and a spring fortransmittingthe movement of one jaw to the other jaw.

16. In an elevator safety device, the combination with acar and its guide rails, of a pair of pivoted jaws carried on the car and I adapted frictionally to .engage a guide rail,

a spring associated with said aws and arranged to transmlt' pressure equally between the jaws, pression of said spring durmg the operation:

'ing the movement pair of clamp jaws pivoted to the car and .normally'out of contactwith a guiderail,

a normally inert compression:

the opposite side bf the pivot, and

meant. A

.and means for elfecting a comof the 'aws, v

17. an elevator safety device, the com-' bination with a car and its guide rails,gof' a '70 pair of pivoted jaws carried on the car and adaptedfrictionally to engage a guide rail, a spring associated with said jaws and-arranged to transmit pressure equally between the jaws, and means comprising a wedge for eifecting a compression of said spring durof one of the j aws; v

device, the comguide rails, of a on the car and 18. In an elevator safgty bination with a car'and 1ts pair of pivoted jaws carried adapted frictionally to engage a guide r'ail, a spring associated with said jaws, and means comprising a wed roller'intermediate ajaw and 'derail for effecting a compression of sai spring during the operation of one of the-jaws. I y

19. In an elevator safety device, the combination with a car and its guide rails, of a pair of clamp jaws pivoted to the car and norma]ly out of contact with a guide rail, said jaws being movable as a unitabout said pivot, and means comprising a spring for maintaining the jaws in normal position with respect to a guide rail. 1 e

20. In an elevator safety device, the combination with a car and *itsguide rails, of a pairiof clamp jaws pivoted to the car and normally outof contact with a guide rail, said jaws being movable as a unit about said; pivot, and resllient means for maintaining the jaws in normal position with respect to a guide rail. 1 l I j 21. In an elevator safety device, the combination with a' car and its guide rails,'of a said jaws being'movable as a unit about said ivot, and means comp mg a spring as in normal position. v 22. Inan elevator safety device, the combination with a car, of a pairoof levers pivoted intermediate their ends to the car, a guide rail for the car positioned-between the ends of the levers on one side of the pivot, a spring positioned between the ends of the levers on the opposite side of the, pivot, and a member adapted to be wedged between the said rail and one of the levers to eifect a compression of thespring'and thereby move the other lever into frictional engagement with the said guide rail.

23. In an elevator safety device, the com- I bination with a car, of a pair of levers pivoted intermediate their endsto the "car, a guide rail for the car positioned between the ends of the levers on one side of the pivot,

spring positioned between the ends of the levers on iiiT a-member meant I adapted to be wedged between the said rail and one of the levers to efieet a compress sion of the spring other lever into frlctional engagement with adapted tobe wdg and thereby move the thesaid guide rail.

24. A11 elevator car, guide rails therefor, pivoted safety clamps on the car eo-acting with a guide rail, a wedge roller for eifect-- ing the operation of the clamps, and a spring adapted to be compressed during the operation of the clamps and controlling the power of the clamps.

25,- In an elevator safety device, the combination of a car and guide rails, of pivoted clamping members. carried on the ear adapted to co-act with a guide rail, means for effecting an engagement between said clamping members and guide rail tending to move apart the clamping members, and .a spring opposing the movement ofthe said members.

26. In an elevator safety device, the combination of a car and guide rails, of pivoted clamping members carried on the car adapted to eo act with a between said guide oted jaws on the car mov 'de rail, a member rail and one'oi the clamping members tending to move the clamping members apart,

and a spring opposing said movement.

27 In an elevator safety device the combinatiunof a car and its glilide rails, of pive as a unit about their pivot adapted toclamp a guide rail,

and means comprising a spring for equalizfor equalizing the pressure of said jaws on a guide rail when the jaws engage the 'said ra v I In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

or-To sane. Witnesses:

Wmrrm C. STRANG, Emngsr I1. Gm, Jr.

40 I a unit about their pivot, and resilient means 

